Simple terms and definitions in Islam.
Is Islam a religion?
Islam is a religion only in so far as it is instituiting the rituals and formulating its dogma in respect of the relation between the Creator and the created. In all other aspects Islam is not a religion but is a way of life or a Divine instituited code of conduct for all rational beings who have choice and freewill. Islam can be called a religion only in respect of it’s instituition of salat and of its dogma and, therefore, it should be known that it is much more than a mere religion. Since there is no other suitable term in the English language we have invariably to make use of the term religion as its appellation. In Arabic, Islam is called ‘Din’ which means a code of conduct.
1) The term ‘Islam’ according to Arabic Lexicon has a number of meanings among which peace, safety, submission and establishment of peace are the most prominent. Islam means: Submission to the commands of Allah the Lofty and abstinence from His prohibitions. ( In short, “Obedience to the Commands of Allah the Lofty”.
2) Defination of Iman(Belief) : To believe in the heart and declare by the tongue.The Belief is an attribution of truthfulness (to a thing) in the heart (i.e. the mind) and an affirmation (of it)by the tongue, and the condition for its perfection is “action”by (the use) the limbs” OR as has been said, the condition of its validity is “action by (the use of) limbs”.